I loved the vibe of this small island, Siquijor, south of Bohol. With a motorbike you can easily drive around the island in one day and still fit in a few activities along the way. Siquijor is known for diving, just like many other places in the Philippines, and also for the healers living on the island. I did not visit the healers myself. I think I am a little too down to earth for that and preferred doing an Apo Island tour from Siquijor instead. But of course that is completely up to you. One way or another, you will probably fall in love with Siquijor just like I did.
We booked two days and three nights in Siquijor. Below you can find my route, the things I did on the island and why I think Siquijor is such a good stop if you are traveling through the Philippines and planning an Apo Island tour from Siquijor.
Transport to and from Siquijor
Siquijor is located about 1.5 hours by direct ferry south of Bohol. We booked our ferry with OceanJet through 12GO and left perfectly on time at 10:20 from Tagbilaran. Around 12:00 we arrived in Larena, the second port after Siquijor town. From there it was another half hour ride to San Juan, the area where most of the hotels, bars and restaurants are located.
The return ferry left at 12:30 from Larena directly to Tagbilaran. I would definitely recommend booking these ferry tickets in advance, especially on popular travel days. If you already know your route, it is worth checking the latest ferry times and availability through 12GO.
Outside the port terminal, tricycles were waiting to bring everyone to their hotel. They usually work with fixed prices and mostly drive one way only. It is not the most efficient system, but it gives business to more people on the island. At our accommodation we rented a motorbike for 350 PHP per day, including two helmets. The motorbike is perfect to discover the island by yourself and stop wherever you like. Have you considered renting a car on the island? Check here the availability with Discover Cars.
Things to do on Siquijor
You can easily discover the island by yourself with a motorbike and a printed map, a photo of a tourist map or an offline app. In one day you can circle around almost the entire island and combine the first three or four activities below. On my second day I did a full day Apo Island tour from Siquijor. If you also want to visit the healers in the mountains in the centre of the island, I would add another day. I would recommend staying three to four days on Siquijor.
1.Β Β Β Swing in the Cambugahay Falls
Our first stop after breakfast in San Juan was Cambugahay Falls. Head to the village of Lazi and follow the signs about 2 kilometers upstream along the river. Here you can park your motorbike and pay the entrance fee. Then walk down the steep stairway to the main swimming area. There are several natural swimming pools, some with bamboo rafts, and many people climb onto the bamboo platforms to swing with a rope into the emerald water. It is the perfect stop to cool off and enjoy the scenery, although it can get crowded.
Walk the slippery trails up or down to avoid the crowds. Bring water/reef shoes for protection when walking the dirt paths.Β
2.Β Β Β Swim and Jump at Salagdoong Beach
Our next stop was Salagdoong Beach. During our stay Kagusuan Beach was closed for tourists, so we went straight here, passing the town of Maria and beautiful nature of Siquijor. At the entrance to the resort area you pay a small fee and the turquoise water is inviting you to dive straight in.
You can climb up to the rock and jump about 10 meters off the cliff! I swam all around it with my snorkeling gear but not much to spot here. The water and beach are lovely at this almost deserted resort. The restaurant is busy with tourist but perfect to get a snack and some drinks. We went for a late lunch just outside Salagdoong beach/forest to the right on the Siquijor circumferential road which is called Harbour Lights; owned by an American. Very welcoming restaurant with good food.
3.Β Β Β Go Snorkeling with Barracudas
After lunch we headed more up north of Siquijor to our next stop, Tulapos Marine Sanctuary. Before we got there we stopped at a nice beach and searched for some shells. I love looking for them, it is such a relaxing activity while enjoying the sun at the same time. When the main road turns left at the village of Enrique Villanueva, you go straight to the sanctuary. Some locals helped point us to this snorkeling spot.
You cannot really snorkel here by yourself to be honest. The guides know how to spot the barracudas and they will pull you into the shoal of fish. And to be honest, the current is very strong, so you need flippers to keep up with the fish and the current. On top of that, it is a long walk through shallow water with stones, coral and mangroves.
You can rent all the material you need and arrange a guide at the small booth on the beach. Here you register yourself and pay the entrance fee and guide to the marine park, 320 PHP per person. I loved this snorkel tour, it is different from any other snorkeling tour. The uncountable barracudas are overwhelming. At the end of the tour the guide pointed out the huge clams changing their colors, a perfect finish. Next to this it is a long walk through shallow water with stones, corrals and mangroves.
Time to head back to San Juan, perhaps you are on time to see the sunset at Paliton Beach.
You can rent all the material you need and guides at the small booth on the beach. Here you register yourself and pay the entrance fee and guide to the marine park; 320PP per person. I loved this snorkel tour, its different than any other snorkel tour, the uncountable barracudas are overwhelming. Β At the end of the tour the guide pointed out the huge clams that are changing their colors; perfect finish! Time to head back to San Juan, perhaps you are on time to see the sunset at Paliton Beach.
Bring your swim suit, sunscreen, underwater camera, reef booties, flippers and snorkeling gear for the day.
4.Β Β Β Watch the Sunset at Paliton Beach
Perfect to finish the day and see the sunset at lovely Paliton Beach near San Juan. Here you can get a fresh coconut for 50 PHP and if you want to add local rum you pay 80 PHP. At this small white beach with perfect blue water, while music is playing from the beach stalls, you really get that holiday feeling.
If you want to be a bit more active, you can rent a paddle board here as well for 300 PHP per hour. Just make sure you go at high tide, otherwise your fin will get stuck.
5.Β Β Β Amaze the Underwater World of Apo Island
I loved this trip to Apo Island since my middle name is mermaid and I love to be in the water surfing, swimming and snorkeling. I booked this trip to Apo Island two days in advance at Apo Divers and paid 2100 PHP per person including snorkeling gear, coffee or tea, snacks and lunch. The boat was huge and comfortable with enough space to chill and enjoy the around one hour journey to the first snorkeling stop.
The boat left around 8:00 from a small port where I was dropped off and I had to be there at 7:10. Everything went very smooth. At the port there were more tourists arriving, not only for snorkeling but also for diving and some only for transport because they had booked accommodation on Apo Island itself.
In total we did three snorkel stops with a guide, all at the southern side of Apo Island. I spotted at least seven turtles in total at all three snorkel stops. I swam with them for meters, which felt magical and relaxing, and the coral was colorful and beautiful. Check my Philippines Instagram stories turtle movie! My guide was 74 years old and with his handmade flippers he pointed out water snakes, turtles, fish and coral. At the last stop you could even see the gas bubbles from volcanic activity under the water.
I can barely describe what I saw underwater, but I hope my pictures give you a good impression and convince you to go snorkeling at great Apo Island in the Philippines. Around 16:00 we were back by boat in Siquijor.
What to Pack for your Siquijor and Apo Island Days
Bring your swimsuit, sunscreen, snorkeling gear if you have it, an underwater camera and reef shoes or booties for the day.
Where to Stay on Siquijor
I was traveling with my father in Siquijor, so to give us both some privacy I booked two rooms in San Juan. We stayed at Sand 1 Hostel and paid around 1200 PHP per night per room. The rooms were new, clean and fresh, and they even offered free coffee. The front desk was very helpful and the location was perfect, just on the road behind the beach. With a motorbike you are close to everything from here. If you are still looking for where to stay in Siquijor
Where to Eat and Drink on Siquijor
The main bars and restaurants are located at the stretched town of San Juan. I starts around Paliton Beach till 10 km in the direction of Lazi.
My favorite spot in Siquijor is the Beach Bar and Lounge. This place consists of two separate βrestaurantsβ which share the seating on the beach; Glow Beach CafΓ© where you can order the perfect breakfast bowls (320PP) and smoothies and Island Casitas Siquijor where you can order for example a tuna sandwich with fries (220PP) and coffee. They offer sunset cocktails too! All day a perfect spot on the beach with great a great view, food and ambiance. I think now they changed the location to a Shaka franchise.
Luca Loko: To be honest we drove all the way to U Story Restaurant but that was fully booked. I had a recommendation from travelers to eat here, but was not lucky. I was quite a drive from San Juan and on our way back we ended up at the nice place of Loca Loka. The food was good, some western influences with traditional food, the Β couscous with shrimps tasted delicious. I would go back to this small but popular restaurant.
Baha Bar: We went to Baha Bar on a Friday night where they served a popular all-inclusive traditional BBQ buffet for 450PP per person. This buffet was including the famous Philippines roasted suckling pig (lechon) and fresh grilled fish, with pasta, vegetables, desserts and soft drinks. Be on time it could get crowded!
Monkey Business: My father loved the breakfast here, American style with bacon, eggs and bread. My mango pancake with too much coconut milk was disappointing but the ambiance is great. The paintings, reggae music and over decoration makes it a very original place.
Dagsa: We drove by this huge and busy restaurant and we gave it a try. We had to wait before we were able to get table. That means indeed itβs a popular place here in Siquijor. I ordered the fish skewer BBQ (395PP) which was ok. But the Oreo ice desert was the best. I was so full afterward but loved it, after a full day of snorkeling I deserved it!!
Make your new Instagram profile photo at the Coconut tree near Coral Cay. Perfect shot and the Coral Cay Resort offer a great mango juice!!
Is Siquijor and Apo Island worth visiting?
I really think Siquijor should be on your list. The island has such a good and chill vibe, it is not as busy as Bohol and the scenery is beautiful. I also found it relatively affordable compared with other parts of the Philippines I had seen so far. Enjoy Siquijor.
Where are you heading next?
Back to Bohol for another day or continuing your journey to Port Barton, Palawan or Siargao? Siquijor fits very well into a wider Philippines Itinerary and is easy to combine with Bohol, Port Barton for chilling, El Nido for sailing the islands or Siargao if you love surfing!
